History of Lawrenceville, (Mercer County) New Jersey United States of America

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Biographies:

Henry Woodhull Green, jurist, was born in Lawrenceville, N.J., Sept. 20, 1802. He was graduated from the College of New Jersey in 1820 and was admitted to the bar in 1825. He opened an office in Trenton, was elected a representative in the state legislature in 1842, was a member of the state constitutional convention in 1844, and subsequently became reporter of the court in chancery. He was chief justice of the supreme court of New Jersey, 1846-60, and chancellor of the same, 1860-66, when he resigned because of ill health. He spent much money in charity in connection with his brother, John Cleve Green. In 1833 he was appointed a trustee of Princeton theological seminary, and in 1860 was elected president of the board, holding that office till his death. The honorary degree of LL.D. was given him by the College of New Jersey in 1850. He prepared Reports of Cases in the Courts in Chancery of New Jersey (1842-46). He died in Trenton, N.J., Dec, 19, 1876.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

John Cleve Green, philanthropist, was born in Lawrenceville, N.J., April 14, 1800; a brother of Judge Henry Woodhull Green. He attended the public schools and entered business life as a clerk in a New York city counting house. He acted as supercargo on vessels sailing to ports of South America and China, 1823-33, and while in Canton, China, during the year 1833 he entered the firm of Russell & Co. In 1839 he returned to New York city, having acquired a fortune, and there continued trade with China. He spent much of his time and money in advancing the work undertaken by religious and charitable institutions and acted as trustee of various homes and hospitals. He was for several years financial agent and trustee of Princeton theological seminary. His gifts and bequests to the College of New Jersey were more than those received up to that time by that college from any other single source, the total amounting to upwards of $2,000,000. Among the items were the endowment of the library with $50,000 in 1868; Dickinson Hall built in 1870; the Chancellor Green library in 1874; the John C. Green science building in 1873; the magnetic observatory and the dynamo building in 1889; and the chemical laboratory, fully equipped, built in 1891. Besides these benefactions nearly a million dollars were bestowed upon the Lawrenceville preparatory school. He also gave large sums to the University of the city of New York, of which institution he was president of the council, 1851-74, and a member, 1842-74. After the death of Mr. Green his widow placed a memorial alcove with his portrait in the New York Society library at a cost of $50,000. He died in New York city, April 28, 1875.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor